No, especially since you are a graduate of the USMA at West Point & have strong numbers and, therefore, you are likely to be admitted which might deny a serious applicant a chance at their target school.

You're spending $16 to get $20 in iTunes gift cards. If you have no intention of attending, I wouldn't apply, but that's because I figure it takes about 30 minutes per school to apply and I value my time > $8/hr (plus it's restricting the utility of your money to just iTunes, which should be factored in the calculus) But if there's an outside shot you'd consider Bama, go ahead. I had a great experience there - engaging faculty and staff and great town (though I was there before the damage). IIRC, they're pretty generous with scholly money for those that crush their medians and their stips are pretty reasonable (and in some cases may be stip-free)

ThreeRivers wrote:Yea, I saw that too... Idk I'm shocked a school would do that just to get an application. Is really downgrading to their school imo

Same thing was said last year. I think the idea behind it is "look, we can make a strong case for why Bama is a great choice for you once we get you here." FWIW, they provide a pretty compelling case - low tuition, being the biggest game in the state, strong alumni network, engaging faculty. It's the classic strong regional and people who aren't from the Alabama region may not have ever thought of applying. They get their share of folks who had offers from t14. I really don't understand the thought process that would view this as a negative. I'll tell ya' what though - you'll never experience candidate care at other schools like you do at Bama.

I applied with the same mindset as OP, except that there was a >0 chance that I would go on a full ride. My LSAC fee was only $12 though. And yeah, that's what the waitlist is for. Turns out I would have seriously considered a full ride based on the way my cycle went. You never know, and they want you to apply. Just do it.

ThreeRivers wrote:Yea, I saw that too... Idk I'm shocked a school would do that just to get an application. Is really downgrading to their school imo

Same thing was said last year. I think the idea behind it is "look, we can make a strong case for why Bama is a great choice for you once we get you here." FWIW, they provide a pretty compelling case - low tuition, being the biggest game in the state, strong alumni network, engaging faculty. It's the classic strong regional and people who aren't from the Alabama region may not have ever thought of applying. They get their share of folks who had offers from t14. I really don't understand the thought process that would view this as a negative. I'll tell ya' what though - you'll never experience candidate care at other schools like you do at Bama.

I second that notion. The people on the admissions committee I have talked to have all been first class and extremely helpful